National: Wet weather over much of nation's northern tier

A cold front hovered from southern California to the northern Plains today, bringing wet weather to the Pacific Northwest. Moderate rain fell over western Washington and northwest Oregon, while spottier showers moved across northern Idaho and western Montana.

The Southwest avoided precipitation earlier today, although temperatures dropped 5 to 10 degrees due to the frontal passage. Casa Grande, Ariz., reported a midday high of 86 degrees, as temperatures remained between 80 and 90 degrees in the southern California and Arizona deserts.

The central third of the country experienced dry conditions as a ridge of high pressure hung over the eastern Ohio Valley. The lower Mississippi Valley felt warm, humid conditions throughout the first half of the day, while the upper Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley experienced cooler, less humid weather.

The Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States continued to experience wet weather as low pressure lingered along the Atlantic coast. Moderate to heavy rain impacted the coast of the Carolinas, while spotty showers and thunderstorms pushed through southern Florida and parts of Georgia.

Kill Devil Hills, N.C. reported a midday total of 1.38 inches of rain, while Jacksonville Craig, Fla. reported a midday total of 2.11 inches of rain. Temperatures were also very warm in Florida due to an onshore flow from the Atlantic. Marathon, Fla. recorded a midday high of 90 degrees.

-In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire started. Aided by a devastating drought that left much of the Midwest extremely dry, the fire spread rapidly through the city. The fire eventually destroyed 17,500 buildings and left 100,000 of the city's 334,000 residents homeless.